
Fourth Quarter Rally Falls Short at UTSA
3/5/2024 8:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SAN ANTONIO – After cutting a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to three points in the game's final minute, the Rice women's basketball fell just short on the road to UTSA 60-52 Tuesday night at the Convocation Center. The Owls fall to 15-14 (9-9 AAC).
Malia Fisher had a career night with a career-high 30 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a block. She is the first Owls to surpass 30 points in a game this season.
As a team, Rice shot 18-of-60 (30.0%) from the floor and 2-of-18 (11.1%) from three-point range. The Owls were 14-of-18 (77.8%) from the free throw line.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
UTSA opened the game with a three-pointer before Fisher got the Owls on the board. Emily Klaczek's layup countered a Roadrunner score as the two sides traded scores early. After UTSA took a five-point lead, Fisher cut the deficit down to three. The Roadrunners led 15-10 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
The Roadrunners extended their lead to 10 points before Destiny Jackson snapped the run with a free throw. Fisher's and-one conversion continued the run as Rice cut the deficit down to 20-16. UTSA countered with a run of their own, taking a 30-16 lead, with Fisher's layup making it a 12-point deficit at halftime.
Third Quarter
Back-to-back Fisher scores opened the third quarter, but the Roadrunners responded with a 7-0 run to take a 37-22 lead. After UTSA extended the lead to 19 points, Fisher closed the quarter with four points to make it a 45-30 deficit at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
Fisher and Dominique Ennis traded scores with the Roadrunners until Ennis, Hailey Adams and Jazzy Owens-Barnett contributed on a quick run to get within nine. Following a Roadrunner score, Klaczek drilled a three-pointer, with Ennis later hitting a three to bring the deficit to 53-46. After a quick UTSA response made it a nine-point game, Fisher scored the next three baskets to make it a three-point game with 44 seconds left. The Roadrunners ultimately escaped the Rice rally, ending the game on a 5-0 run to take the 60-52 win.
TEAM NOTES
UP NEXT
The Owls will head to Fort Worth for the AAC Tournament starting Saturday, March 9.
Malia Fisher had a career night with a career-high 30 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a block. She is the first Owls to surpass 30 points in a game this season.
As a team, Rice shot 18-of-60 (30.0%) from the floor and 2-of-18 (11.1%) from three-point range. The Owls were 14-of-18 (77.8%) from the free throw line.
First Quarter
UTSA opened the game with a three-pointer before Fisher got the Owls on the board. Emily Klaczek's layup countered a Roadrunner score as the two sides traded scores early. After UTSA took a five-point lead, Fisher cut the deficit down to three. The Roadrunners led 15-10 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
The Roadrunners extended their lead to 10 points before Destiny Jackson snapped the run with a free throw. Fisher's and-one conversion continued the run as Rice cut the deficit down to 20-16. UTSA countered with a run of their own, taking a 30-16 lead, with Fisher's layup making it a 12-point deficit at halftime.
Third Quarter
Back-to-back Fisher scores opened the third quarter, but the Roadrunners responded with a 7-0 run to take a 37-22 lead. After UTSA extended the lead to 19 points, Fisher closed the quarter with four points to make it a 45-30 deficit at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
Fisher and Dominique Ennis traded scores with the Roadrunners until Ennis, Hailey Adams and Jazzy Owens-Barnett contributed on a quick run to get within nine. Following a Roadrunner score, Klaczek drilled a three-pointer, with Ennis later hitting a three to bring the deficit to 53-46. After a quick UTSA response made it a nine-point game, Fisher scored the next three baskets to make it a three-point game with 44 seconds left. The Roadrunners ultimately escaped the Rice rally, ending the game on a 5-0 run to take the 60-52 win.
- With the loss, Rice is now 15-13 all-time against UTSA.
- Owens-Barnett recorded her 100th career assist.
- Klaczek hit her 100th career three-pointer.
The Owls will head to Fort Worth for the AAC Tournament starting Saturday, March 9.
Team Stats
Rice
UTSA
FG%
.300
.322
3FG%
.111
.273
FT%
.778
.760
RB
41
45
TO
16
14
STL
7
7
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
WBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09